A slice of Michiana

Community members out and about on Saturday

Community members out and about on Saturday

April 16, 2006|ALICIA GALLEGOS Tribune Staff Writer

SOUTH BEND -- Anyone could tell 6-year-old Alex Mitchell was slightly too small for the basketball in his hands. But he wouldn't believe it for a second. "I can check you," he told a stranger Saturday afternoon at Seitz Park, proceeding to dribble the ball as fast as he could down the sidewalk. It bounced high above his head, but Alex had it under control. "I'm better than my dad," he said. Dennis Mitchell shook his head and humored his son. He, Alex, and daughter Diamond, 11, were enjoying the sun Saturday at the park. The children were visiting their dad for the afternoon and were on their way for some much-needed slurpees. "They don't stay with me," Dennis explained, so the three were spending some quality father-kid time. "I gotta have that." Buster or blueprints? "Are we done?" "We're done!" Members of the St. Patrick's Church youth group first looked at each other in disbelief and then slapped hands and cheered. They had just cut 15 minutes off their previous best time and built the fire pit in less than 90 minutes. It wasn't even 11 a.m. and their masterpiece was complete. The annual mission had required moving concrete cylinders from St. Patrick's Church on Taylor Street over to St. Hedwig Church on Scott Street (by van) and then creating the circular structure. The fire pit would be used for Saturday's 9 p.m. service, where congregation members start outside and slowly file into the church. "I'm just amazed we got it done so fast," said Amelia Harrison, 15. The teenagers speculated whether it was their new mascot which had inspired the speed building or perhaps the planning of builder Christopher Harrison, 18. "Buster" the plastic bunny was found in the street near the church by youth leader Bob Zielinski that morning. It was a coincidence the bunny was found nearby right before Easter, but Christopher may have had more to do with the pit than the toy. The aspiring architect drew up several blue prints for the pit the night before on his computer. "It works," Christopher said. "It looks the same." Different tastes It was an ice cream kinda day, and 11-year-old Jamiel Hilal and his mom, Cindy took their treats outside to soak in the sunshine. Veteran's Memorial Park was chock full of bikers, boaters, and runners Saturday afternoon, all thinking the same. Although mom and son each had an obvious sweet tooth, it was clear their tastes were quite different. Cindy Hilal quickly tried to lick her small chocolate ice cream cone before the heat beat her to, while her serious son calmly sucked down his large french vanilla mochalatte. "I like (cones)," Jamiel said. "But today I was in a 'go' mood." The cost of a foot When it comes down to it, who really needs a foot? After months of surgeries, pain, and medication, that's the belief Matt Bennitt has come to accept. The 28-year-old man was fishing alone Saturday at the St. Joseph River near Indiana University South Bend, his single crutch lying in the grass behind him. "Fishing sucks today," he said. But the South Bend resident was just fishing for fun and he hoped his luck would improve. Since his motorcycle accident eight months ago, the hobby has been one pleasure Bennitt hasn't had to give up. The hit-and-run driver was never found, and Bennitt's anger remains. "I was furious," he said. "My foot was nearly severed." Because of an infection, Bennitt constantly has an IV in his arm and has had 12 surgeries. He says he'll find out in a couple of weeks if his next operation will be for ankle fusion or for ankle removal. But Bennitt is restless and wants to go back to his job as a contractor, building power lines. "Prosthetics are so good now," he said. If the foot goes, he'll cut his losses and move on. Really, if it has to be something, the fisherman believes, it might as well be a foot. "It's better than an arm or a hand," he said. "I'd rather have something gone than have something hurting me. "I'm over it." Staff writer Alicia Gallegos: agallegos@sbtinfo.com (574) 235-6368